Page:The Natural History of Pliny.djvu/250

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216 pliny's natural history. [Book III. tam the Bosenses^, the Caralitani^, who enjoy the rights of Eoman citizens, and the Norenses^ There is also one colony which is called Ad Turrim Libysonis^ Timseus has called this island Sandaliotis, on account of the similarity of its shape to the sole of a shoe, while Myrtilus has given it the name of Ichnusa*^, from its resemblance to the print of a footstep. Opposite to the Gulf of Psestum is Leucasia^, so called from a Siren wl o is buried there ; opposite to Yelia are Pontia and Isacia, both known by one name, that of QEnotrides, a proof that Italy was formerly possessed by the CEnotrians. Opposite to Vibo are the little islands called Ithacesise^ from the watch-tower of Ulysses situate there. CHAP. 14. (8.) SICILY. But more celebrated than all is Sicily, called Sicania by Thucydides, and by many writers Trinacria or Trinacia, from its triangular appearance. According to Agrippa it is 618^ miles in circumference. In former times it was a conti- nuation of the territory of Bruttium, but, in consequence of the overflowing of the sea, became severed from it ; thus form- ing a strait of 15 miles in length, and a mile and a half in width in the vicinity of the Pillar of Ehegium. It v/as from this circumstance of the land being severed asunder that the G-reeks gave the name of Ehegimn^^ to the town situate on the Italian shore. In these Straits is the rock of Scylla, as also Charybdis", a whirlpool of the sea, both of them noted for their perils. Of this triangle, the promontory, which, as we have already ^^ 1 Their town was probably either the present Napoli or Acqua di Corsari. 2 Their town is probably indicated by the ruins on the river Gavino. 3 Their town was Carahs, the present Caghari. 4 Their town was probably Nora, the present Torre Forcadizo. ^ "At Liby so' s Tower." ^ From the Greek I'xvos, " a footstep." 7 Now La Licosa, a small rocky island. « Now Torricella, Praca, and Brace, with other rocks. 'J Posidonius, quoted by Strabo, says 550. ^^ Meaning that it comes from the G-reek verb prjyvvfii, " to break." ThiJ is probably only a fanciful origin of the name. 11 The present Garofalo. At the present day small boats approach it witliout danger. " In Chap. X. Pelorus is the modern Capo di Faro.